If you’re anything like me, you love baking cakes. But sometimes, you end up with too much cake and don’t know what to do with it. Throwing it away is not an option, and eating it all at once is not the healthiest choice (been there, done that!). Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to use leftover cake that will satisfy your sweet tooth and prevent food waste.
Here are 18 different ways to use leftover cake:
1. Cake Pops
Cake pops are a fun and easy way to use up leftover cake (read my detailed post about making cake pops from leftover cake). Simply crumble the cake into small pieces and mix it with frosting to create a dough-like consistency. Roll the mixture into small balls, insert a lollipop stick, and dip the cake pops into melted chocolate. You can also add sprinkles or other toppings for a fun twist.
2. Trifle
A trifle is a layered dessert that typically consists of cake, fruit, and custard or whipped cream. To make a trifle with leftover cake, simply cut the cake into small pieces and layer it with your favorite fruits and fillings in a glass bowl. You can also add a drizzle of liqueur or flavored syrup for an extra kick.
3. Cake Crumbs for Topping
Cake crumbs make a great topping for ice cream, yogurt, or oatmeal. Simply crumble the cake into small pieces and sprinkle it over your favorite dish. You can also mix the cake crumbs with melted butter and sugar to create a crunchy, sweet topping for pies and other desserts. Toast the crumbs for even
4. Cake Milkshake
A cake milkshake is a delicious way to use up leftover cake and create a decadent treat. Simply blend the cake with milk and ice cream to create a thick, creamy shake. Top with whipped cream and a cherry. You can also add sprinkles for a fun twist.
5. Cake French Toast
Cake French toast is a delicious and indulgent breakfast treat. Simply dip slices of leftover cake into a mixture of eggs, milk, and cinnamon, and fry them in a pan until golden brown. Serve with butter or syrup and fresh fruit for a delicious start to your day.
6. Cake Ice Cream
Cake ice cream is a fun and creative way to use up leftover cake. Simply mix the cake with softened ice cream and refreeze in a container until firm. You can also add nuts, chocolate chips, or other mix-ins for a fun twist. Serve with hot fudge or caramel sauce.
7. Cake Bread Pudding
Cake bread pudding is a comforting dessert that’s perfect for using up leftover cake. Simply cut the cake into small cubes and soak them in a mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, and spices (like cinnamon). Bake the mixture in a casserole dish until golden brown and serve with whipped cream, double cream, or vanilla ice cream.
8. Cake Parfait
A cake parfait is a fun and stunning dessert that’s fabulous for using up leftover cake. To make the parfait, layer the cake with whipped cream, fruit, and other fillings in individual glass serving bowls. You can also add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce for an extra indulgent treat.
9. Cake Donuts
Cake donuts are an exceptionally fun way to use up leftover cake. To make cake donuts, cCut the cake into small circles and fry them in hot oil until golden brown. Dust the donuts with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar for a delicious treat.
10. Cake Muffins
Cake muffins are a cozy way to use up leftover cake. Simply mix the cake with a little bit of flour, eggs, and milk to create a muffin batter. Bake the muffins in a muffin pan until golden brown and serve with butter or jam.
11. Cake Pancakes
Cake pancakes are a scrumptious and indulgent breakfast or brunch treat that’s perfect for using up leftover cake. Simply mix the cake with flour, eggs, and milk to create a pancake batter. Fry the pancakes in a pan until golden brown and serve with syrup and fresh fruit.
12. Cake Brownies
Cake brownies are another creative way to use up leftover cake. Mix the cake with cocoa powder, eggs, and oil to form a thick batter. Feel free to add chopped walnuts to the batter. Bake in the oven until fudgy and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
13. Cake Cookies
Cake cookies delight kids and adults alike. Mix the cake with butter, flour, and sugar to form a sturdy dough. Roll it out and cut it into shapes. Bake in the oven until golden brown and decorate with icing or glaze.
14. Cake Pie Crust
Did you know that you can use leftover cake to make pie crust? Crumble the cake and mix it with melted butter to form a crust. Press it into a pie dish and bake in the oven until firm. Fill with pudding, fruit, or custard.
15. Garnish Drinks with Leftover Cake
Now we are getting really creative! Use a cookie cutter to cut small shapes out of the cake and place them on the rim of glasses or mugs. Serve with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
16. Cake Truffles
Cake truffles are a particularly easy way to use up leftover cake. Crumble the cake into small pieces, mix it with softened unsalted butter, and roll it into bite-sized balls. You can also add different flavors and toppings to the truffles, such as cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or sprinkles. I love to coat my truffles with melted bittersweet chocolate and top with colorful sprinkles.
17. Cake Tiramisu
Yes, you can make cake tiramisu — a twist on the classic Italian dessert — from your leftover cake! It can be made by layering crumbled cake with mascarpone cheese, sweetened coffee, and cocoa powder. You can also add other ingredients to the tiramisu, such as liqueur, fruit, or nuts.
18. Freeze for Later
No time to use the leftover cake? Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before using in any of the above recipes.
With these expert tips and variations, you can turn your leftover cake into a variety of delicious and creative desserts. Don’t let your cake go to waste — try one of these recipes today!
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are numerous ways to use leftover cake that can transform it into a delicious treat. Whether you choose to make cake pops, trifle, or French toast, you can easily turn your stale cake into a new and exciting dessert. One thing to keep in mind is that the type of cake you have leftover can affect the outcome of your recipe. For example, pound cake and fruit cake work best for bread pudding, while chocolate cake is ideal for making cake pops. Another tip is to make sure your cake is not too dry or crumbly before using it in a recipe. If it is, you may want to consider adding a bit of moisture, such as milk or cream, to help revive it. Lastly, don’t be afraid to get creative with your leftover cake. Experiment with different flavors and combinations to find the perfect recipe for your taste buds. With a little bit of imagination, you can turn your leftover cake into something truly unique and amazing!